If you’re currently constructing a new or replacement facility or working on a major healthcare renovation or hospital expansion, you are most likely familiar with the benefits of patient-centered and evidence based hospital art programs.

At Distinctive Art Source, we help clients create art programs that are evidence and patient based. We work specifically and exclusively in healthcare, enabling us to stay abreast of industry trends and current research. Evidence based design principles supported by the selection of appropriate patient based artwork can enhance healing environments and offer the possibility of improved patient outcomes.

“Scientific research has produced limited but convincing evidence that certain types of art can have positive effects on health outcomes. However, inappropriate art (including some critically good art) can negatively affect patients – especially those who feel stressed due to illness or injury.” – Roger Ulrich

Evidence Based Design as it relates to art selection is the use of published research in selecting and placing artwork in healthcare settings. The overriding result of Evidence Based research tells us:

Proximity to nature can help patients lower stress resulting in a reduced need for pain medication and improved patient outcomes.

Viewing familiar surroundings can help reduce stress and build a sense of security and comfort for patients within a healthcare facility.

Expanding the hospital’s boundaries into the community through mutually beneficial relationships can offer patients a sense of connection to the community during a hospital stay and reduce feelings of isolation.

Every Patient Population is Distinctive!
Patient Based Art Programs include artwork that is selected based on the unique needs of each patient groups (such as Cancer, Pediatric, Geriatric, Women, Heart, ICU, Rehab and Psychiatric). Patient Based Art helps to deinstitutionalize the clinical setting while illustrating a sensitivity to location and patient demographics. Patient based artwork can also aid in wayfinding by helping to visually identify areas.